Fact Check: North Korea's losses account for more than half of the approximately 11,000 troops initially deployed to Kursk in fall 2024.

Fact Check: "North Korea's losses account for more than half of the approximately 11,000 troops initially deployed to Kursk in fall 2024."

What We Know

North Korea has been actively involved in the Russo-Ukrainian War since 2022, supporting Russia by recognizing the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic. In the fall of 2024, North Korea reportedly deployed approximately 11,000 troops to Russia's Kursk region to assist in military operations against Ukraine (source-1).

Recent intelligence reports from the UK indicate that more than 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed, injured, or gone missing while fighting in this region (source-2). This figure represents over half of the total number of troops initially deployed, confirming the claim that North Korean losses account for more than half of the 11,000 troops sent to Kursk (source-3).

Analysis

The claim that North Korea's losses exceed half of the approximately 11,000 troops initially deployed to Kursk is supported by credible intelligence estimates from the UK Ministry of Defence. The reports indicate that significant casualties have been sustained primarily through "large, highly attritional dismounted assaults," which suggests a high-risk operational strategy leading to substantial losses (source-2).

While the UK intelligence reports are generally considered reliable, it is important to note that neither Russia nor Ukraine provides official figures for combat casualties, which can lead to discrepancies in reported numbers. However, the consistency across multiple sources, including the UK Defence Ministry and various news outlets, lends credibility to the claim (source-4, source-5).

Additionally, the context of North Korea's military involvement, including their historical lack of transparency regarding troop deployments and casualties, reinforces the need for cautious interpretation of these figures. Nonetheless, the reports from credible intelligence agencies and consistent media coverage support the assertion that North Korean losses are indeed significant.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that North Korea's losses account for more than half of the approximately 11,000 troops initially deployed to Kursk in fall 2024 is substantiated by credible intelligence estimates indicating over 6,000 casualties. The alignment of multiple sources and the nature of the reported military engagements support this conclusion.

Sources

1. North Korean involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
2. UK intelligence estimates 6,000 N. Korean casualties in Russia's Kursk ...
3. North Korean losses exceed 6000 in Russia's Kursk Oblast ...
4. North Korean losses exceed 6,000 in Russia's Kursk Oblast, UK ... - MSN
5. 6000 North Korean troops lost in Kursk supporting Russia
6. North Korean casualties surpass 6,000 in Ukraine war, UK intelligence ...
7. British intel reveals major North Korean losses in Kursk ...
8. North Korea's Military Intervention in Kursk: A High Casualty Learning ...